SGFC has sent the following letter to the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners in response to the most recent version of the revised Tree Ordinance. Please take a minute to read our input and contact the Commissioners with your thoughts.
September 9th, 2019
Board of Commissioners
Forsyth County Georgia
110 E. Cumming Street Suite 210
Cumming, GA 30041
Dear Board of Commissioners,
We are writing in response to the September 5th, 2019, first Public Hearing of the County proposed revisions tothe Tree and Mass Grading ordinances. We are encouraged by the County’s year-plus effort to “get this right” and offer the following observations and urge the Board to consider the following:
The regulatory and enforcement role and responsibilities of the County Arborist have been dramatically expanded however it is not clear as to what additional resources will be provided to the position to meet these responsibilities. We recommend that the County begin deliberations to determine this upon approval of the changes. Failure to properly resource the position will make these changes meaningless.
SGFC was greatly disappointed that the County failed to change the Soil, Erosion and Sedimentation Control ordinance to significantly reduce the mass grading in the County. As it stand now the proposed single change amounts to little more than a “checker boarding” of the process and a delay to developers for clearing large parcels. For every 25 acres of residential development the developer can level 20 acres – or up to the whole 25 if approved by the Department of Engineering (DOE) --- then create a 5 acre buffer and go on to level the next 20 to 25 acres. Then they just wait to have at least one (presumably the first) clearing declared “stable” by DOE (a very lenient definition provided in the UDC that could be as simple as impacting the soil and spreading straw) and they can continue and work the next set of parcels. Since most parcels are not simply flat, the requested “exceptions” to clear the full 25 are expected to be the norm. Zero language has been added to compel developers to “build to the land”. Instead, the ordinance continues to rely largely on the already abused and ineffectual verbiage of grading “…to a practicable minimum.”
Since mass grading not only denudes the County of Significant tree growth, but damages the ability of surrounding and replacement trees to flourish, and because the County seems wont to further restrict mass grading in the language of this ordinance, SGFC recommends the following changes to the Tree Ordinance to provide some level of additional control to mass grading activities:
Smart Growth believes that these recommendations are reasonable, efficient, easily implemented and recognize the importance of protecting this vital, shared, community resource. Smart Growth Forsyth County respectfully requests the courtesy of a reply to our recommendations by Monday, the 30th of September, 2019. We remain committed to our great County and are hopeful that you will seriously consider and agree to act expeditiously on our proposals. Thank you.
Sincerely,
ORIGINAL SIGNED
Robert Slaughter
Managing Director
Smart Growth Forsyth County, Inc.
CF:
Country Arborist
Planning Commission
County Manager
Planning Director
Deputy Planning Director
County Attorney
Eric Bosman – Kimley Horn
smartgrowth-forsyth.org6055 Benton Pl. Cumming, GA 30040
Forsyth County is revising the Tree, Mass Grading and Stormwater Management Ordinances so the time is now to tell our elected officials that we want ordinances that put protection of our environ-ment and quality of life before development!
Urge your representatives to adopt the simple, 4-STEP PLAN below that focuses on saving more trees and saving our best trees to ensure the protection of our quality of life:
The Plan
This plan needs your support! If you care about our dwindling suburban forest, your elected officials must hear from you! Email or write to your elected officials today!
Click here for a sample letter.
For more information contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or better yet, come get involved at a Smart Growth meeting – every second Wednesday, 7-9:30 PM, United Way on 240 Elm St, Cumming.
Inspired by EcoAddendum.org and CityintheForest.org